THE BALLOON MAN

Circus comes to town

Performers from Carson & Barnes Circus process into the ring at Tuesday evening's show at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds. Performers in the Hugo, Okla.-based circus come from all over the world.(Ruth Campbell/Tribune)
From March to November, members of the Carson & Barnes Circus bring the big top to communities around the country. The Bourbon County Fairgrounds in Fort Scott was the stop on Tuesday. Office assistant Josie Loyal said 110 people travel with the Hugo, Okla.-based circus, providing two shows a day -- every day -- to each city that brings them in. In addition to the big top with its clowns, performers, trapeze artists and animals, the show includes elephant and pony rides for kids, rides, food and games. The show travels with more than 50 animals and feed and hay are purchased every day, Loyal said. Carson & Barnes' performers come from all over the world.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored the circus, not only for the community but as a fundraiser. Executive Director Lindsay Madison said about 733 tickets were sold for the shows. "We had a pretty good crowd for the first show," Loyal said, noting this was the first time in seven years the circus had been here. read more at:http://www.fstribune.com/story/1765843.html